Entries from April 2011

April 18th, 2011 by master

A few years ago, changes were made to the English Language Learner (ELL, formerly ESL) program in Seattle Public Schools. These changes have taken non-native speakers out of one classroom and put them in the traditional classroom with native English speakers. Our sister site, MyWallingford, has more on these changes and how they’re affecting students and teachers at Hamilton International Middle School.

April 16th, 2011 by master

An early morning mugging last Sunday left the victim injured. Here’s the police report from SPD:

I was patrolling my area around 3am on April 10 when I was flagged down by victim at NE 43rd/ University Way NE. He stated that he was just walking home this morning when he was jumped by two unknown black males in the 4700 block of Roosevelt Way who punched him in the face and kicked him in the side while he was on the ground. was covering up his head with his hands when he felt one of the suspects reach into his back pocket of his pants and steal his wallet. then heard the two suspects laughing as they fled the scene on foot. stated that he was feeling dizzy and that he didn’t really remember much more of what happened. I observed that had a small laceration below his left eye and he appeared to be in pain as he was holding the side or his torso. SFD was called to the scene and checked him for any additional injuries. He declined to go to the hospital and I transported him to his residence.

April 14th, 2011 by master

Earlier this week, they took over Westlake Center. On Friday, the Glee flash mob hits the U-District. Here’s more info from the organizers:

Spread the joy, dear mobbers.

Want to mob again? If you didn’t see the original message, we’re doing the Glee Flash Mob again Friday at the UW at 12:20pm. Join us! Here’s more on Facebook. For those NOT on Facebook, meet at Drumheller fountain (search for it on Google if you don’t know it) between noon and 12:15. Wear red shirts (or if you don’t have red, wear pink, or even white) if you can. We’ll then move to an unidentified location at 12:20. Already two hundred people are coming to dance it! Won’t you join us?

If you haven’t seen the earlier performance, check out the video here.

April 13th, 2011 by master

UPDATE 1:15p.m.: The search continues in Discovery Park. Search dogs found clothing in one area of the park a short time ago but it does not appear to be connected to 18 year old Marizela Perez. The University of Washington student has been missing since March 5 and the clothing appears to have been in the park since before that time.

UPDATE: Our crew at the scene says that three teams of dogs (two from Texas and one from Louisiana) from K-9 Kampus are currently searching in Discovery Park.

The owner of the company says the dogs are exclusively trained to search for human remains. She says the plan is to cover every square inch of the 534 acre park today and tomorrow.

Thanks to Steven Smalley for the photographs and information.

We now know the identity of the woman that searchers are looking for in Discovery Park today. Eighteen year old University of Washington student Marizela Perez has been missing since March 5th. She was last seen at the Safeway store on Brooklyn Ave in the University District according to a website set up by her family. There is video of her in the store from the surveillance cameras.

Perez is described as Asian, 5-foot-5, 110 pounds with a bob hairstyle. She has a tattoo on her left inner arm with the words "lahat ay magiging maayos," Tagalog for "all will be well."

April 12th, 2011 by master

Tunneling operations will soon start at the UW light rail station. Sound Transit will be installing utility settlement monitors that will be visible from Highway 520 to oncoming traffic. This work will not interfere with vehicle or pedestrian traffic but does require the use of a vacuum truck and a drill rig. The may be audible to the surrounding homes.

Here are the days and hours that you may hear noise:
Monday, April 11 to Friday, April 15: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 16 and Saturday, April 23: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
You can always track the project here.

April 10th, 2011 by master

The 42nd U-District StreetFair is quickly taking shape. This year’s event is set for May 21 and 22. There will be two main stages featuring music, dance and comedy as well as a children’s area and plenty of arts and crafts. For a map of all the vendors and a concert lineup, click here.

April 7th, 2011 by master

The Burke Museum is now registering kids for those popular summer programs. Half day and full day camps are being offered. Children will have the chance to study paleontology, genetics, meteorology and much more. Click here for more information.Photo from Burke Museum, Diane Quinn

April 5th, 2011 by master

A man was attacked but managed to avoid being robbed in a U-District alley last Thursday. Here’s the police report:

On 3/31/2011 at 2304 hours, I was dispatched to 1100 block of NE 43rd St concerning an assault. On arrival, I met the victim. He said that about five minutes prior to calling 911, he was in the alley behind his apartment complex breaking down cardboard boxes left at the dumpster when an unknown male approached him from the south opening of the alley. The male said nothing but walked directly to him and punched him in the nose/upper lip with a closed fist. Victim fell to the ground, whereupon the suspect reached into the victim’s rear pocket. Victim swatted the suspect’s hand away and the suspect left the area walking northbound in the alley. Victim reported that nothing was stolen from him during this assault and provided a physical description of the suspect, adding that he had never seen the suspect before tonight. Victim refused medical attention for his injuries. I could see that he nose and inner/upper lip was cut and bleeding slightly. I examined the alley where the assault took place. I didn’t locate any evidence or other information that would help in identifying the suspect.

April 4th, 2011 by master

The on-street paid parking rate is changing in the University District. This month, the rate will be going from $2/hr to $1.50/hr.

At the same time the parking rate change occurs, you’ll be able to use the next-day pre-payment option. Pay stations will open at 10PM to sell parking tickets for the following morning, allowing greater convenience for both neighborhood visitors and residents leaving their car parked overnight.

Between May and September, there will be an extension of paid parking hours until 8PM in neighborhoods with active nightlife and high evening parking demand, including the U-District. For more information on all these changes, click here.

April 3rd, 2011 by master

A donut shop in the 4300 block of Roosevelt was hit last Tuesday (3/29) by a robber who also roughed up an employee. Here’s the police report:

I arrived and contaced witness who stated that he was a customer in the store. He had just purchased his donuts and turned to sit down when he heard a commotion behind him. He turned and saw a while male go through the swinging doors behind the donut counter. He saw the suspect push victim into the donut rack, grab the open cash register door and run out the business. He followed the suspect and saw him go S/B on Roosevelt Wy NE toward NE 43 ST. The suspect disappeared either around the corner at NE 43 ST or through the access driveway at the building.

I spoke to victim who spoke broken English. He said the suspect came into the store briefly to get coffee and some donuts. He didn’t have enough money so he left to get some. He came back moments later and while victim opened the drawer, the suspect pushed him over, grabbed the drawer and some money in a tip envelop and fled the store. He’s never seen the suspect before. Victim estimates that about $100 was taken from the till. No evidence was found at the scene.